Data Science, Senior Manager

Role Summary and Impact

Join an award-winning team at the heart of UK government, where your work will genuinely shape lives. As part of WPP 650 you’ll be part of a supportive, collaborative environment that values curiosity, kindness, and growth. Together, we use behaviour change principles to design smarter services, influence better decisions, and help millions of people across the country.

Named WPP 650, after the 650 UK parliamentary constituencies, the name is a reminder that our work must reflect the full breadth of the country, every community, every audience. No two days are the same. The challenges are complex, the problems worth solving, and the learning constant. You’ll tackle issues that matter, alongside talented colleagues who care deeply about what they do. It’s demanding – but always rewarding.

This is meaningful work with real-world impact – the kind you can point to with pride.

Senior Manager, Data Science - Government

We’re on a mission to transform marketing by building the fastest, most connected data platform that bridges marketing strategy to scaled activation. We work with agencies and clients to transform the value of data by bringing together technology, data and analytics capabilities. We deliver this through the Open Media Studio, an AI-enabled media and data platform for the next era of advertising. We’re endlessly curious. Our team of analytical thinkers, builders, creators and problem solvers are over 1,000 strong, across 20 markets around the world.

Our UK Analytics capabilities are central to our success, empowering WPP Media’s clients with a full range of Analytics services that deliver tangible impact. This role sits within the broader WPP Media Analytics structure, drawing on the specialist expertise of Modelling, Analytics Consultancy, and Data Science & Solutions teams.

Position Overview

The Senior Data Scientist, Government will be the primary quantitative specialist within the dedicated analytics team supporting the UK Government account. A central pillar of this role is the ownership and development of WPP Media's Government Benchmarking Database — a strategic asset that will underpin campaign measurement and planning across the account. Working closely with the wider analytics team, the Senior Data Scientist will translate analytical challenges into well-designed, rigorous statistical solutions — taking ownership of the technical approach, model development and delivery once the problem has been scoped collaboratively. This role requires deep technical capability in statistical modelling, database management and programming, combined with the communication skills to work effectively across a team and present complex outputs clearly to a range of audiences.

Skills and Experience

Government Benchmarking Database

• Take ownership of the Government Benchmarking Database, including responsibility for maintaining and evolving its underlying structure as the tool develops.
• Support the wider analytics team in effectively accessing and leveraging the database, including producing advanced query templates and delivering training to ensure analysts can work with the data confidently and independently.
• Lead the scoping and delivery of new analytical capabilities within the platform, including the development of models that estimate expected campaign lift for a given level of spend based on historic performance data.
• Ensure outputs from the benchmarking platform are surfaced in a clear and intuitive way, taking a lead role in how modelled results and benchmark data are visualised for planning and client teams.

Analytical Solution Design & Delivery

• Work closely with the wider analytics team to understand and scope analytical challenges arising from UK Government campaign activity, contributing to the design of appropriate quantitative approaches to address them.
• Take ownership of the technical execution of agreed analytical solutions — selecting and applying the most suitable statistical or machine learning methodologies, building and validating models, and delivering outputs that are robust and actionable.
• Own the end-to-end development of statistical and machine learning models — including forecasting models, attribution frameworks, response curve modelling, and audience/behaviour change models — using Python or R.
• Conduct regular audits of current analytical infrastructure and capabilities, prioritising improvements based on effort-versus-return.
• Synthesise outputs from multiple analytical workstreams into coherent performance narratives — clearly articulating what is working, what isn't, and what future actions are recommended.
• Collaborate with planning and activation teams to ensure model outputs and analytical learnings are fed back into future planning cycles.
• Contribute to target-setting and forecasting for future campaigns, drawing on historical performance trends and modelled relationships.
• Develop understanding of non-marketing performance drivers to contextualise model outputs and provide a broader view on maximising campaign effectiveness.

Technical Development & Innovation

• Proactively explore and evaluate innovative statistical methodologies, data sources, and tooling that can enhance the analytical capability of the government team.
• Contribute to the development of scalable, reproducible analytical pipelines and tools that can be reused across the government account.
• Build business cases for incremental investment in advanced analytical solutions, grounding recommendations in modelled evidence.
• Participate in relevant industry bodies and stay current with developments in data science, causal inference, and media measurement best practices.

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage and mentor junior analysts and data scientists on a day-to-day basis, fostering their technical growth and development.
• Contribute to thought leadership promoting excellence in data science and analytical rigour within WPP Media and the wider industry.

Skills and Experience Required

• Proven experience in a data science, quantitative analytics, or statistical modelling role, preferably within an agency, consultancy, or public sector environment.
• Strong hands-on programming capability in Python and/or R, with the ability to build, validate and deploy production-quality models.
• Solid experience with a range of statistical and machine learning techniques, including several of the following: linear and generalised linear models, Bayesian statistics, time series and response curve modelling, tree-based models, clustering, causal inference methods, regularisation techniques.
• Experience working with relational databases and SQL to generate insight and supporting others in working effectively with relational data.
• Ability to visualise model outputs and complex datasets clearly and intuitively, with experience designing or contributing to data-driven dashboards or analytical platforms.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical methodologies and outputs clearly to both technical peers and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively within a team, taking shared analytical problems and driving them through to robust technical solutions.
• Desirable
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g. Google Cloud Platform, AWS, or Azure) and familiarity with cloud-based data warehousing solutions.
• Familiarity with data governance, privacy regulations (e.g. GDPR), and ethical considerations relevant to public sector data usage in the UK.
• Familiarity with version control (Git/GitHub) and collaborative code workflows.
• Experience with digital attribution modelling, survey-based measurement, or reach/attention measurement methodologies.
• Knowledge of industry data sources such as TGI, IPA Touchpoints, YouGov BrandIndex, or equivalent.
• Experience measuring behaviour change in public health, social policy, or government communications contexts.
• Exposure to budget and resource management for analytical projects.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment to Be Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We also Lead Optimistically, firmly believing in and Championing Growth and Development for every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees to leverage the extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. 

We Create an Open environment built on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress. This inclusive culture is fostered through a variety of employee resource groups and frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment, including competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days. 

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection in this open and supportive environment. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process. 

Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location

Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy) for more information on how we process the information you provide.

While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. 

 

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